In January 2014, I began my low carb life in earnest.
By July 2014, I had lost 35 pounds, and my lab work was pretty much perfect for the first time in many years! 😀
I truly believe that for many people like me, who do not seem to process carbohydrates as well as some others, changing to a lower carb eating plan for the long-haul is a great solution, as well as a tasty one. Having lost a brother to diabetes and heart disease in 2007 and watching my older sister struggle with similar health issues, I, along with my doctor, could easily see a path of ill-health before me if I did not substantially change my ways soon where diet and exercise were concerned.
After speaking with my doctor about pursuing a low carb diet, he agreed to let me try it. As a part of this process, I also agreed to come in for regular blood work every 90 days during the first phases of the plan. As my cholesterol was already sky-high before starting the diet, he also started me on Crestor 10 mg. Hopefully, this will only be necessary for a short period of time as I hopefully lose weight to my optimum weight level. After only six months on this diet, and with the help of the Crestor, my cholesterol actually dropped just over 100 points to a very healthy level for the first time in years.
Lower carb eating has absolutely worked for me, and over time, I would like to share some links, tips and recipes that I have enjoyed since changing to this diet plan. Of course, low carb also means low sugar, so this diet is very similar to the type of diet that most diabetics follow every day.
I am so impressed with the many options in the low carb realm now, and I learn more about those options every week, it seems. Once I cut back on carbs and sugar in Phase 1, I quickly experienced a reduction in my cravings of carbs and sweets overall, which is one of the most helpful aspects of this diet plan, even though most friends do not believe me when I share this fact with them. It is simply easier to comply with the plan because I really do not crave sweets, potatoes and pasta anymore.
Specifically, I have followed the Atkins Diet pretty much to the letter, and I have found the plan simple to use because they offer all of their resources for free online, unlike many other diet plans available today. I have worked my way through Phases 1 and 2, and I am presently in Phase 3, which is a slow, ongoing weight loss phase (fall 2014). Over the coming months, my desire is to lose an additional 10-15 pounds, which will bring me to an ideal weight for a person of my age and height. While my husband is not on this diet, he typically eats what I eat for dinner on most days and is quite happy to do so.
Over time, I will add more content on this page, sharing some of the best tips, links and recipes that I have truly enjoyed to date. For links to low-carb recipes and other posts of mine, see the links at the bottom of this page.
If you are interested in starting a low carb eating plan, I highly encourage you to contact your physician first, no matter what diet plan you choose. If your physician agrees with your choice, I then encourage you to read the book below and try to fully understand what a low carb eating plan is all about and how to begin successfully in Phase 1. Too many people do not understand that a low carb diet is more than just Phase 1, and reading the book beyond the Phase 1 information is very helpful upfront.
Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution (2009)
Below, I have listed some great low carb recipe bloggers that have truly helped me be successful on my new eating plan. I cannot thank them enough! Look for them on Pinterest and Facebook, too.
All Day I Dream About Food
I Breathe I’m Hungry
More good links:
Recipes for Atkins Protein Bars, Sugar-Free Syrups and Bake Mix (2004)
– Some of these products are no longer available to purchase from Atkins, including my favorite Blueberry Almond Baked Squares that were a regular breakfast item for me from the very beginning of my low-carb lifestyle. Some ingredient substitutions may be necessary on occasion now, as more sweetener options are available.
Come back soon for more helpful information!
Links on my site to low-carb recipes:
My Five Fs 
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